Department for Transport

Cycling: Road Traffic Offences

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend road traffic legislation to make causing death or serious injury by dangerous cycling an offence; and whether any such changes would cover (1) electrically assisted pedal cycles, and (2) e-scooters.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department for Transport is working on addressing concerns around dangerous cycling and will publish conclusions in due course. Decisions on which modes of transport might be covered by any new legislation will be taken at the time.

Cycling and Walking: Finance

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government when local authorities who have applied for Mini-Holland funding will be informed whether their applications have been successful.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department intends to make an announcement on this matter shortly.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Insolvency: Regulation

Lord McNicol of West Kilbride: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatdocumented evidence they have of market failure in the relationship between Recognised Professional Bodies and the Insolvency Service.

Lord McNicol of West Kilbride: To ask Her Majesty's Government what independentdocumented evidence they have that the current (1) structure, and (2) model, for insolvency regulation is failing to deliver (a) consistent outcomes, (b) robust outcomes, and (c) the breadth of regulation required for an effective modern regulatory regime.

Lord McNicol of West Kilbride: To ask Her Majesty's Government what independent documented evidence there is of inconsistent regulatory outcomes between different Recognised Professional Bodies in the regulation of Insolvency Practitioners.

Lord Callanan: The Government is consulting on proposals to reform, strengthen and modernise the insolvency practitioner regulatory framework. These proposals arise from a call for evidence conducted previously and other evidence collected by the Insolvency Service in its role as oversight regulator on behalf of the Secretary of State. The consultation document, along with the associated impact assessment which were published on 21 December 2021, summarise the evidence used (including the responses to the call for evidence) to draw up the proposals for reform. The consultation closes on 25 March.

Freight: Price Controls

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement a price control mechanism to reduce freight costs for the landscaping industry.

Lord Callanan: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given by my hon Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for International Trade) to Question UIN 20498 (also attached).Answer to PQ 20498 (pdf, 77.4KB)

Insolvency: Regulation

Lord McNicol of West Kilbride: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultation they have undertaken (1) within, and (2) without, the insolvency industry that has suggested the Insolvency Service as a suitable candidate to be a Single Regulator of the Insolvency Industry; and whether they will puliish that evidence.

Lord Callanan: The Government is consulting on proposals to reform, strengthen and modernise the insolvency practitioner regulatory framework. The Government previously consulted through a call for evidence on whether there should be a different regulatory framework, including a greater role for Government. Since then further discussions have been held with stakeholders to help develop proposals for consultation. The consultation and its associated impact assessment were published on 21 December 2021 and will close on 25 March. During the consultation period, the Government will continue to engage directly with key stakeholders and welcomes responses from all interested parties on the proposals, including suggestions on how they could be improved and on their likely impact.

Insolvency Practitioners Association: Monitoring

Lord McNicol of West Kilbride: To ask Her Majesty's Government when theInsolvency Practitioners Association 2021 Monitoring Report will be published.

Lord Callanan: The Insolvency Service expects to publish its Monitoring Report relating to the Insolvency Practitioners Association by the end of February.

KPMG: Silentnight

Lord Sikka: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further tothe Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 2 November 2021 (HL3320), what progress they have made in bringing criminal charges against KPMG’s insolvency partner for misconduct during the Silentnight insolvency.

Lord Callanan: In accordance with its normal investigation targeting process, the facts of this case, including the content of the Financial Reporting Counsel’s Disciplinary Tribunal Report, published in October 2021, is being reviewed by the Insolvency Service to decide if an investigation is required.

Attorney General

Crimes against Humanity: Prosecutions

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK's use of universal jurisdiction to prosecute the crimes of (1) genocide, (2) crimes against humanity, and (3) war crimes.

Lord Stewart of Dirleton: The Counter Terrorism Division within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for prosecuting core international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes) and applies the principle of universal jurisdiction when necessary. Universal jurisdiction helps to ensure that the UK does not provide a safe haven for war criminals or those who commit other serious violations of international law, and the CPS will continue to bring individuals to justice wherever possible. Any decision to prosecute offences of universal jurisdiction in England and Wales is governed by the same principles that apply to any other prosecution and must be in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

Ministry of Justice

Prison Accommodation: Males

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatproportion of cells in each men’s prison in England and Wales have in-cell telephony.

Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: There are a total of 97 Men’s Prisons (84 closed and 13 open) in England and Wales, which are run by Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service. Of the 84 closed men’s prisons: 59 prisons have received In-Cell Telephony throughout 3 prisons are currently mid-way through delivery, with 50% of cells now having In-Cell Telephony across the 3 sites 22 prisons do not have any In-Cell Telephony currently, with 11 of these scheduled to receive it over the next six months  Of the 13 open men’s prisons: 1 prison has In-Cell Telephony throughout 12 prisons do not have any In-Cell Telephony currently

Prison Accommodation: Females

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatproportion of cells in each women’s prison in England and Wales have in-cell telephony.

Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: There are a total of 10 Women’s Public Sector Prisons (8 closed and 2 open) in England which are run by Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service. All cells in the 8 prisons within the women’s closed estate have In-Cell Telephony. Neither of the 2 prisons within the women’s open estate has any In-Cell Telephony.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Zimbabwe: Elections

Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had at ministerial level with Southern African Development Community (SADC) members states concerning the prospect for free and fair elections with respect to the 26 March (1) parliamentary, and (2) municipal, by-elections in Zimbabwe.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: There has been no ministerial contact with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) partners specifically on Zimbabwe's March 26 by-elections. However, through our Embassies and High Commissions, the UK regularly discusses the political, economic, and human rights situation in Zimbabwe with its international partners. The UK is committed to working in partnership with the SADC and the African Union as well as other international organisations. The Minister for Africa met with President Mnangagwa on 1 November 2021 and raised our concerns regarding human rights, the shrinking of democratic space and the importance of Zimbabwe demonstrating a positive trajectory ahead of the 2023 elections. The UK continues to urge the Zimbabwean Government to fulfil their own constitution and their commitments to reform electoral laws.

Crimes against Humanity

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with human rights organisations, including EyeWitness, in relation to (1) collecting, and (2) preserving, evidence of atrocity crimes in (a) Nigeria, and (b) elsewhere; if they have had such discussions, what assessment they have made of the findings of those organisations; and if they have not, what plans they have to do so.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK both supports and funds a number of investigative bodies established by the UN including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) in Syria, the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability Against Da'esh/ISIL Crimes (UNITAD) in Iraq and the IIM in Myanmar. All of these bodies are charged with collecting and preserving evidence so that accountability can be pursued when the circumstances permit. In the case of Nigeria, this Government will continue to press the Nigerian Government and their security services to uphold human rights and the rule of law; to investigate all incidents of brutality, illegal detentions and the use of excessive force; and to hold those responsible to account. We will continue to engage with civil society, and use our position at the UN, including as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to raise atrocity situations of concern and to support the deployment of all appropriate tools available to the UN in dealing with potential mass atrocities and conflict. Our focus is always on securing an end to violence and protecting civilians.

Crimes against Humanity: Prosecutions

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are helping other countries to prosecute (1) genocide, (2) crimes against humanity, and (3) war crimes, where there is evidence of such crimes; and if not, what is their reason for not doing so.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: All countries are obliged under both customary and International Humanitarian Law to prosecute these offences. The UK is committed to assisting investigative, prosecuting and judicial authorities in combating international crime and is able to provide a wide range of Mutual Legal Assistance through its central authorities.

Angola: Land Mines

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the UK will spend on mine clearance in Angola this year.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Our Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP2) is forecasting spend of almost £1 million in Angola during this financial year (21/22) on mine clearance and other mine action activities such as risk education to help keep affected communities safe. This is additional to the £9.3 million we have already spent on mine action in Angola under GMAP2 since 2018.As of September 2021, GMAP2 funded activity had cleared and confirmed safe over 27 million square metres of land in Angola (the equivalent of 3,784 football pitches) and provided 95,004 people with risk education. We are in the process of finalizing individual country allocations for the next financial year (22/23) under the next iteration of our global mine action programme (GMAP3).

Slovenia: Overseas Students

Lord German: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the value to the UK of developing relationships with Slovenian citizens currently living in Slovenia, who have undertaken courses in universities in the UK.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is proud to be celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations with Slovenia in 2022. Our relationship is strong, and is reinforced by the close and enduring friendship and cooperation facilitated through educational exchange. We welcome the launch last year of the UK-Slovenia alumni network and support its goal to deepen and consolidate our educational ties.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what changes have beenimplemented by the Department of Work and Pensions in response to the289 Internal Process Reviewsinto (1) the death, or (2) serious harm, of claimants related to the actions of that department since 2012.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: Recommendations from Internal Process Reviews (IPRs) are a critical source of insight and learning.Improvements the Department has made following the completion of IPRs in the last few years include:Introducing a holistic check of a customer’s circumstances prior to issuing them with a large payment.Improving staff guidance to ensure vulnerable customers’ benefits are not automatically stopped when they cease engaging with the Department.Following two unanswered visits to a claimant’s address - where there remains concern for their vulnerability - the claim will now not automatically be closed and payments will not cease. Instead, the case will be escalated to a manager to convene a case conference to ensure consideration of all the circumstances. Where applicable, the case can be further escalated to the area Advanced Customer Support Senior Leader (if not yet involved) who could then liaise with relevant external agencies such as the Police or social services to assure the customer’s safety as appropriate.

Social Security Benefits

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of introducing senior safeguarding leaders within the Department for Work and Pensions.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: Since 2020, the Department has appointed more than 30 Advanced Customer Support Senior Leaders (ACSSLs) across Great Britain; these roles were previously known as Senior Safeguarding Leaders. ACSSLs support internal teams with customers who have multiple needs. They are a critical link into external agencies’ escalation routes, enabling increased cross-agency case collaboration and more holistic support for customers. From a standing start in April 2020, ACSSLs now maintain around 750 relationships* with external organisations and agencies that provide support to vulnerable claimants. As their role has been established and developed over the last 20 months, ACSSLs have built the capability and confidence of frontline teams - coaching them in using existing tools for the most complex cases and supporting them in applying new guidance. Through the ACSSLs, the Department has gained greater visibility with local partners - so we can work collaboratively for a customer when this is required. ACSSLs have also helped us gather data and insight into customers’ top areas of concern, helping us to deliver a better service for all claimants. During 2021 we continually assessed the effect of introducing this role, how areas of concern about customers are identified, and the effectiveness of internal Service Line escalation routes.Our findings so far demonstrate that ACSSLs are effective in supporting existing DWP Service Lines to assist customers most at risk of harm. It is also evident that clear Service Line escalation routes are needed to provide timely resolution for our most vulnerable customers, which in turn reduces the need for ACSSL intervention. Following this work, ACSSLs’ future focus will include their coaching & facilitator role, their work with external agencies, and strengthening the learning they return to the business in real time. *Please note: the data used here is taken from internal management information (MI) and is not in the public domain.

Social Security Benefits

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the findingsfrom the289 Internal Process Reviews undertaken by the Department of Works and Pensions into the death or serious harm of claimants which have been related to the actions of that department since 2012.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: We do not routinely publish Internal Process Reviews (IPRs) or their findings.

Social Security Benefits

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many InternalProcess Reviews conducted by the Department of Work and Pensions relate to cases that have also been subject to Safeguarding Adults Reviews.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: From September 2020 to present (January 2022) the Department has conducted10 Internal Process Reviews for cases in which we are aware that a Safeguarding Adults Review has also been undertaken.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Nature Conservation

Baroness Parminter: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made ofWildlife and Countryside Link’s estimates of the resources required for successful implementation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies.

Lord Benyon: The Government has committed to funding all new burdens on Local Authorities arising from the Environment Act. This includes those relating to the preparation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs). We have considered Wildlife and Countryside Link’s estimates, alongside the feedback from the 5 LNRS pilots that finished in May 2021.Following the spending review settlement, Defra is working through spending plans for the next three years, including by working closely with local Government organisations to determine the level of additional capacity required to implement the Act effectively.Defra will share further details of the resources that will be made available for implementing Local Nature Recovery Strategies in the coming months.

Nature Conservation: Urban Areas

Baroness Parminter: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps theyare taking to ensure that Local Nature Recovery Strategies (1) protect, and (2) enhance, urban nature, in order to increase opportunities for people to benefit from access to nature near where they live and work.

Lord Benyon: Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a new, England-wide system of spatial strategies that will 1) identify areas of existing importance for nature, including in urban areas, and 2) establish priorities and map proposals for specific actions to drive nature's recovery and provide wider environmental benefits. The coronavirus pandemic has underlined the important benefits to public health and wellbeing from access to nature and green spaces. The Government expects that public authorities will wish to use the process of creating their Local Nature Recovery Strategy to also identify opportunities to increase access to nature whilst supporting its recovery.

Biodiversity and Nature Conservation: Rural Areas

Baroness Parminter: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that adequate funding is available forlocal authorities to meet their general duty to facilitate their Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 biodiversity duty obligations, as updated by sections 102 and 103 of the Environment Act 2021.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Government has committed to funding all new burdens on local authorities arising from the Environment Act, including those due to the biodiversity duty on public authorities, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs).The intention of the strengthened duty, though, is not to oblige public authorities to incur additional costs, but for them to consider seriously how they can improve biodiversity through the exercise of their functions. We anticipate that the principal way in which local authorities discharge their biodiversity duty will be through the actions taken to deliver mandatory BNG or LNRSs. We also expect that, in considering any additional action they can take above and beyond BNG and LNRSs, local authorities can consider ways to benefit biodiversity in a cost-neutral manner and work with other sectors; we will provide guidance to help with this.Defra recently announced £4 million to help Local Planning Authorities, and other local authorities with planning oversight, to prepare for BNG which will become mandatory in November 2023. The funding will help Local Planning Authorities expand ecologist resource and upskill ecologist teams.

Consumer Goods: Waste Disposal

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a waste law that would prevent companies destroying unsold or returned goods.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Businesses are obliged to follow the waste hierarchy, set out in the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011. This gives priority to preventing waste, and only then, in order, to reuse, recycling, recovery and last of all disposal. Failure to comply with this hierarchy can lead to enforcement action. Last year, we consulted on a new Waste Prevention Programme for England, which includes proposals to further clarify and enhance this approach. We expect to publish the response to this shortly.

Home Office

British Nationality

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the proposed powers in clause 9 of the Nationality and Borders Bill (HL Bill 82) to enable the Secretary of State to rescind British citizenship without notice for those with or entitled to dual citizenship would apply to anyone automatically (1) in possession of, or (2) entitled to, citizenship of another country based on a parent's country of birth, whether or not they choose to exercise that entitlement; and if so, whether they have notified other national governments of this change.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The use of powers under section 40 may apply regardless of the person’s nationality or country of origin or that of their parents, but it must comply with the UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.Clause 9 of the Nationality and Borders Bill relates solely to how a person is notified of a decision to deprive them of their British citizenship. There is no change to the reasons for which a person could be deprived of their British citizenship or to their right of appeal.

Refugees: Resettlement

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of support among (1) businesses, and (2) individuals, in the UK for the resettlement of refugees, both by (a) returns to countries of origin, and (b) moves to third countries; and whether they will be publicising to UK businesses and individuals the opportunities to assist refugees wanting to return to countries of origin or move to third countries.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are committed to supporting individuals to return to their country of origin, or other third countries where they hold valid leave to enter, through a dignified and compassionate approach.The Voluntary Returns Service (VRS) work with a wide range of external stakeholders to promote the options that are available to individuals who may require tailored support to help facilitate their journey, such as medical needs, assistance with securing appropriate travel documents or financial support.These external stakeholders typically include public bodies or third sector organisations who may signpost individuals towards VRS support, but could also include any other business or organisation who may encounter individuals requiring the support of the Service.The VRS and our stakeholders will also signpost individuals towards resettlement support in the country of return where possible and appropriate.

Roads: Accidents

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) reports of a significant reduction in (a) the number of traffic cameras in active use, and (b) the number of breathalyser tests administered, in the last five years; and (2) the relationship between any such changes and an increase in road traffic accidents.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: How police use speed cameras and administer breathalysers is an operational matter for Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners. Police use their professional judgement and discretion as to what they consider most effective, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.There may be several reasons why the number of breathalyser tests administered has reduced, including drivers being more aware of the law or police deciding to prosecute drivers under more serious offences.The Government has not conducted an assessment of the relationship between any such changes in the number of traffic cameras in active use or in the number of breathalyser tests administered, and the number of road traffic accidents.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Temporary Accommodation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Human Rights Watch and Childhood Trust report “I Want Us to Live Like Humans Again”: Families inTemporary Accommodation in London, UK, published on 17 January, what steps they are taking to reduce the placement of families in unfit temporary housing.

Lord Greenhalgh: This Government is committed to reducing the need for temporary accommodation by preventing homelessness before it occurs. That is why we are spending £2 billion over the next three years to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. Time spent in temporary accommodation means people are getting help and it ensures no family is without a roof over their head. Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation for households owed the main homelessness duty until suitable long-term accommodation can be offered to them. They must ensure temporary accommodation is suitable in relation to the applicant and to all members of their household who normally reside with them, or who might reasonably be expected to reside with them, and there is a right of appeal. Consideration of whether accommodation is suitable will require an assessment of all aspects of the accommodation in the light of the relevant needs, requirements and circumstances of the homeless person and their household, including location of the accommodation.

Cabinet Office

Prime Minister: Staff

Lord Jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were employed in 10 Downing Street or associated buildings, connected directly to serving the Prime Minister of the day, leaving aside cleaning, maintenance, and security staff in each of the years (a) 1995, (b) 2005, (c) 2015, and (d) 2021; and in each case, how many of those were permanent civil servants.

Lord True: The information requested is not centrally held or collated, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. 10 Downing Street is a constituent part of the Cabinet Office; information on its staffing is provided within the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts. To assist the noble peer:the 2020-21 accounts are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2020-2021,The 2015-16 accounts are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2015-to-2016 andthe 2005 accounts are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-office-annual-report-and-resource-accounts-2005-to-2006. The Cabinet Office accounts for 1995 were presented to Parliament; the House of Lords Library can assist members in retrieving reference copies from 1995.Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21 (pdf, 5635.1KB)Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts 2015-16 (pdf, 3110.9KB)CO Annual Report and Resource Accounts 2005-06 (pdf, 241.0KB)

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: Safety

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce measures in the Online Safety Bill aimed at preventing the use of of end-to-end encryption in online private messaging.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: The UK supports the responsible use of strong encryption, as the safety and security of digital technologies is essential. However, if end-to-end encryption is implemented in a way which intentionally blinds tech companies to content on their platforms it can have a disastrous impact on public safety.All parts of regulated platforms, including instant messaging services and closed social media groups, are in scope of the Online Safety Bill. Companies cannot use encryption as an excuse to avoid protecting their users, particularly children, and those companies who implement end-to-end encryption will need to demonstrate how they are managing risk to their users, or face big fines. Ofcom will set out the measures platforms need to implement in codes of practice, and could include making these channels safer by design, for example by limiting the ability for anonymous adults to contact children.More widely, the Government has launched a £555,000 Safety Tech Challenge Fund, which is focused on developing innovative technologies to detect child sexual abuse content in end-to-end encrypted environments, whilst respecting user privacy.

Technology: Companies

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to develop an external dispute resolutions scheme for issues with large technology companies.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: Under the Online Intermediation Services for Business Users (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, business users are able directly to assert their rights through cases in the UK courts.

Tourism: Government Assistance

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent survey by the Tourism Alliance which found 41 per cent of tourism businesses think they are “quite likely to fail”; and what steps they are taking in response to protect the travel industry.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: The Tourism Alliance is a member of the Tourism Industry Council, a collaboration between the Government and the tourism industry focusing on improving the tourism sector and the visitor economy as a whole.The Government is committed to the full recovery of tourism businesses in the UK, and published the Tourism Recovery Plan in June 2021 to outline a clear roadmap for the industry’s recovery.In addition to the commitments made in this plan, HM Treasury announced in the October Budget a new temporary business-rates relief in England for eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure properties for 2022–23, worth almost £1.7 billion. We have also continued a reduced VAT rate, which will remain at 12.5% until 31 March 2022, to help businesses manage the transition back to the standard rate.In response to the Omicron variant, in December 2021 the Government announced a further £1 billion worth of support for businesses in the tourism industry. This included a new grant scheme (up to £6,000 per premises), the reintroduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, and further funding released through the Culture Recovery Fund. There is also more than £100 million of discretionary funding available for local authorities to support other businesses.